The Facts About Red Wine

26Jun

Red wine may be able to protect you from heart disease and cancer. But for some, one glass could be a health risk. What’s the story?

PROS

Heart Disease: The Copenhagen City Heart study tracked 13,000 people over 12 years and found those who drank wine every day halved the risk of dying from the heart disease or stroke compared with those who never drink.

Prostate Cancer: A daily glass may halve a man’s risk of prostate cancer according to a US study of 1500 men. The antioxidant resveratrol that is found in red grape skins may help clear the body of cancer-causing free radicals.

Longevity: Harvard researchers have found that resveratrol also switches on an enzyme that slows ageing, extending the life of yeast cell by up to 70 per cent. If this works as well in humans, this may extend human average life by up to ten years.

CONS

Histamine: Researchers at Vienna Allergy Clinic tested the role of histamine in 28 patients with a history of red wine intolerance: 22 had higher histamine levels 30 minutes after drinking. Lead researchers Dr Felix Wantke says the histamine levels in red wine can be at least ten times higher than those in white wine.

Migraine: A Lancet study tested migraine suffers who thought red wine, not alcohol in general, caused their headaches. The wine sparkled a migraine in nine out of 11 of those tested, whereas those who drank vodka didn’t experience an attack.

Teeth: The tartaric acid in red wine can wear away tooth enamel and red wine’s tannins may also cause staining.